Summary
For this project, we made a video about the physics behind shooting a lacrosse ball. In order to make this video, we needed to find the physics behind the shot by calculating various variables such as force, velocity, mechanical advantage, impulse, and acceleration.
We did this my taking many measurements of: Distance of the ball thrown, time the ball was in the air, time the ball was in contact with the mesh, input and output distance of the stick as a lever, and force applied to the stick.
We then used these numbers to find and calculate force, velocity, mechanical advantage, impulse, and acceleration using equations such as v=d/t, f=ma, MA= input dist/output dist, impulse=ft, and a=^d/^t. After finding the numbers behind the physics, we started making a video for the project by filming me taking a shot, and recording audio to put behind freeze frames during the shot. We spent a full week editing the video and below is the final product!
We did this my taking many measurements of: Distance of the ball thrown, time the ball was in the air, time the ball was in contact with the mesh, input and output distance of the stick as a lever, and force applied to the stick.
We then used these numbers to find and calculate force, velocity, mechanical advantage, impulse, and acceleration using equations such as v=d/t, f=ma, MA= input dist/output dist, impulse=ft, and a=^d/^t. After finding the numbers behind the physics, we started making a video for the project by filming me taking a shot, and recording audio to put behind freeze frames during the shot. We spent a full week editing the video and below is the final product!
Concepts
- Force is a push or pull. It is calculated by multiplying mass and acceleration.
- Speed is the amount of distance an object covers in a given amount of time.
- Velocity is speed with a direction. Speed and velocity are both calculated by dividing distance and time.
- Mechanical advantage is how much easier the machine makes something, or how much less force it requires. This is calculated by dividing the input distance by the output distance, or input force and output force.
- Acceleration is the rate of change in an object's motion. It is calculated by dividing the change in velocity and the change in time.
- Projectile Motion is the motion of the ball in the air. It has two individual components of horizontal and vertical velocity.
Calculations
Here are the calculations for each step:
- Mechanical Advantage= input dist/output dist MA =0.33/0.66 MA=0.5
- Force=ma f = .141kg(32.5m/s*s) Force=4.063N
- Horizontal Velocity=d/t v=45m/1.62s Velocity=32.25 m/s
- Impulse= ft impulse =5.063N(0.73s) Impulse=32.22kg/m*s
reflections
I think that this project went great considering how much we learned. I learned a lot about how to make and edit movies, and I also learned about why the proper form of a lacrosse shot is so essential, and I think that this will help me as a player in lacrosse.
Our group worked together really well when we were working hands on with the actual shooting and filming aspect while up on the field, but when we were working with the computers and editing the video, the part of the group that didn't have much experience editing movies or working with computers tended to get distracted easily. Our group also collaborated really well on the physics calculations piece.
About myself, I learned that I am a natural leader in this group, but I sometimes have trouble staying on task, especially when I have one of my very close friends in my group. I also have trouble accepting others ideas, and letting others participate in the movie editing parts. I also should try to not be so controlling of what my group try's to do to the project.
Next time I can work on my collaboration and acceptance of the rest of the groups ideas, and I can definitely improve on leting others in my group participate in things they don't have much experience.
Our group worked together really well when we were working hands on with the actual shooting and filming aspect while up on the field, but when we were working with the computers and editing the video, the part of the group that didn't have much experience editing movies or working with computers tended to get distracted easily. Our group also collaborated really well on the physics calculations piece.
About myself, I learned that I am a natural leader in this group, but I sometimes have trouble staying on task, especially when I have one of my very close friends in my group. I also have trouble accepting others ideas, and letting others participate in the movie editing parts. I also should try to not be so controlling of what my group try's to do to the project.
Next time I can work on my collaboration and acceptance of the rest of the groups ideas, and I can definitely improve on leting others in my group participate in things they don't have much experience.